Control device for an outdoor cooking assembly

Abstract

A control system for use with an outdoor cooking apparatus may include a hub and an axle housing adapted to slidably couple with a hub. The control system may also include a motor mounted at or near the upper end of the axle housing and an axle mechanically coupled to the motor and extending through the axle housing to a free end emerging from the lower end of the axle housing. The control system may also include a support coupling attached to the free end of the axle, the support coupling being adapted to support a food support below the axle housing. The axle housing may be selectively arranged and secured relative to the sleeve to position the height of the support coupling relative to the lower end of the axle housing and the axle may rotate about its longitudinal axis when the motor is turned on.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of controlling a cooking apparatus, comprising:
 inserting a plurality of legs into a hub of a control system of the cooking apparatus, the control system comprising a motor configured to rotate a drive shaft assembly; 
 arranging the cooking apparatus over a heat source; 
 adjusting a height of the drive shaft assembly relative to the plurality of legs by:
 grasping the drive shaft assembly; 
 loosening a securing mechanism; 
 moving the drive shaft assembly to a new height; and 
 resecuring the securing mechanism. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising suspending a food support from a support coupling of the drive shaft assembly. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 2 , further comprising operating the motor to rotate the food support. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 2 , wherein a rotation of the draft shaft assembly is vertical. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising operating the motor to rotate the drive shaft assembly. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 5 , further comprising concurrently operating the motor and adjusting the height of the drive shaft assembly relative to the plurality of legs. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising selectively adjusting an operating condition of the motor using an actuator operably coupled to the motor. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1 , wherein loosening the securing mechanism comprises loosening a sleeve fastener adapted to releasably secure the drive shaft assembly, and wherein resecuring the securing mechanism comprises securing the sleeve fastener. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 1 , wherein inserting the plurality of legs into the hub of the control system comprises loosening a leg fastener adapted to releasably secure a respective leg in a respective leg coupling of the hub. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising securing a housing protection over the drive shaft assembly.